The Maritime Union says the conflict in the Red Sea highlights the need to build up New Zealand crewed and flagged shipping to overcome supply chain disruptions.
Yemen-based Houthi rebels have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea as the Gaza conflict threatens to spill into a wider regional conflict in the Middle East.
Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Craig Harrison says New Zealand needs to build its shipping capability to provide a buffer for our transport links.
He says the previous several years saw serious shipping disruption due to the pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and natural disasters such as the flooding in New Zealand regions in 2023.
Craig says global shipping lines are now changing schedules to avoid the Suez Canal and Red Sea region, creating serious delays and cost hikes.
“New Zealand needs to protect our domestic supply chain through boosting coastal shipping capability with New Zealand flagged ships and New Zealand crews.”
Craig says New Zealand exporters could work together to charter vessels for international and regional trade with Government support.
Under the previous Government, funding for coastal shipping had resulted in a modest rise in New Zealand flagged vessels, and it was important to keep up the momentum, he says.
Craig says New Zealand should be strongly pressing for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, which was the underlying political issue behind the Red Sea situation.
The recent Red Sea attacks by the Houthis have been aimed at Israel-linked ships in an effort to stop the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The Maritime Union is supporting a call from the International Transport Workers’ Federation to ensure the safety of seafarers, which requires the rerouting of vessels away from the danger zone.
2 comments
Fight against Terrorism
Posted on 08-01-2024 21:41 | By Mike 68
Craig Harrison mistakenly says NZ should be strongly pressing for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. A ceasefire will only help Hamas survive and continue their terrorism. Hamas started this conflict when crossing into Israel, killing all that stood in their path. This attack can only be described as genocidal, as they wiped out every man, woman and child in all the villages they went to.
Hamas want a one state solution without Israeli’s. They have rejected all previous peace deals.
Hamas do not care about their own people either. They have shot at Gazan’s trying to flee to the South; thrown those who oppose them off roof tops; killed minority groups; used Aid money for terrorist activities. Their hatred for Israel is greater than their love for their own children.
Should we stand with Iran backed Houthi Rebels and Hamas or join the fight for peace?
@Mike 68
Posted on 10-01-2024 15:10 | By morepork
I read your post several times. "Hamas want a one state solution without Israeli’s." Yes, they do. But, (perhaps not all, but certainly all Zionist...) Israelis want a one state solution without Palestinians. While a ceasefire would certainly (temporarily) stop the current mayhem, it will prolong the conflict overall. Both ethnicities believe this land is theirs because God gave it to them; they shouldn't have to share it. This belief has existed for around 3000 years (on the Jewish side) and over 1400 years on the Muslim side: the resulting impasse is unsurprising. The heartbreaking Human tragedy unleashed by these deeply held religious convictions is not going to be resolved overnight by ceasefires OR vicious attacks. The depths of cruelty being revealed on both sides is what fanaticism justifies as being "Inshala" [The will of God]. (You have to wonder what kind of God they worship...) We can't/shouldn't intervene.
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